Stock Talk
The Vaxart oral vaccine is behind the three injected EUA approved vaccines. The T- cell responses to C19 by the Vaxart pill are reported as multiples over the others.
But the virus has already mutated harshly in India. Recent tests to Chinese travelers from India detected coronavirus infections that matched the Indian B.1.617.2 variants, the CDC field notes said, “supporting [the conclusion] that the Covid-19 infection on these three patients probably occurred in India”.
The alarming infection and death spikes in India point to the variant being much more transmissible and stronger in that it may take a more direct route to infect the mucus of the lungs. No wonder the US stopped travel to and from India!
There is a possibility that Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA vaccines will not be able to handle new strains. So far, mutations to the spike protein have been limited. But if mutations increase, effectiveness could decrease, even with boosters.
Vaxart web site:
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"Our vaccine’s immune response appears very different that that seen from the leading injectables: mucosal antibodies rather than serum antibodies, and more potent T-cell responses,” said Andrei Floroiu, Vaxart’s chief executive officer. “For our first oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate, we believe that these differences in immunogenicity profile may have a benefit in cross-reactive protection.”
"The strength of T-cell responses against both S and N proteins, which we targeted, leads us to believe that VXA-CoV2-1 offers a promising solution to variants," said Dr. Sean Tucker, Vaxart chief scientific officer.
Yes, C19 infection rates in the US are on a downward trend. And yet an alarming spike in India with the new variant.
Although Vaxart's oral pill finished it's phase 1 FDA safety trial, the results reported point to a safe and complementary mechanism of action . It is possible that a simple oral pill, VXA-CoV2-1, that can be taken at home with a cup of water could be the solution to the survival of thousands, if not millions of India's citizens.
So Phase 1 was a safety trial. check that box.
Further, Vaxart points to an N protein response that may last for seventeen years , 17 ! more ....
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Dr. Tucker discussed:
- Vaxart’s vaccine candidate showed higher CD8+ T-cell responses than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
- Higher T-cell responses correlated to protection against COVID disease in a prospective Phase I study of first responders
- The Vaxart vaccine candidate elicited a T cell response against SARS-Cov-2, as well as showed cross-reactivity against diverse endemic coronaviruses such as 229E, NL63, HKU1, and OC43
- N protein responses to SARS-CoV-1 have been shown to last 17 years after infection and cross-react to SARS-CoV-2
- Vaxart’s vaccine candidate triggered specific IgA antibodies in the mucosa. These mucosal IgA responses appeared to be cross-reactive against other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and the endemic common cold viruses 229E, NL63, HKU1, and OC43
Conclusion
I am NOT India's Emergency Use decider. BUT if I were? -- I'd be looking into offering Vaxart's pill to India's citizens at their option.
Again, I am NOT the deciders and recognize they are typically mired in "due process" . BUT with India's deaths mounting in India -- and grave diggers working around the clock there -- maybe somebody should think outside the box?
nah- likely not -- so do not put (much, if any) on this little story of "what if". That said - what if?
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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more..
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